The phrase "tropical paradise" conjures in all of us dreams of idyllic days on gleaming sands and torch-lit nights full of good food and good company. All of those dreams are reality on the Hawaiian island of Maui at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa.

The Westin has a 128-foot waterslide for kids big and small

With 12 oceanfront acres directly on the prisine Kaanapali Beach, the resort provides everything you could want for your perfect island vacation. Voted one of America's Best Family Travel Establishments by the famous Zagat Survey, this resort has something for everyone.

The lush landscaping of gardens and waterfalls invites you to sit and relax in paradise

Man-made 15-20-foot waterfalls that look real add to the feeling of a tropical paradise

The resort is an oasis of comfort and fun. With 758 rooms, it has five pools (with a sixth to come this year) and five places to eat and drink, from the Tropica restaurant to the poolside bar. Everything is wound around the lush collection of pools and gardens and waterways. The waterfalls may be man-made, but the feeling they evoke is pure nature.

Not only is this a great resort, it has the advantage of a fabulous beach. Kaanapali Beach was chosen "America's Best Beach 2003." The view of ocean and islands is beyond words. There is a kind of bliss when you lift your eyes to a far horizon and your heart expands to fill the sky. This is the feeling of this beach.

Sunset on Kaanapali Beach is sublime.

If you want to do things on your vacation rather than just unwind on the beach or with a poolside manicure (now that is a treat!), there are tons of activities for you. The resort has scuba lessons that start in the pool and can graduate to beach dives. I prefer snorkeling, and Kaanapali Beach offers snorkeling right in front of the resort.

Children string leis in the Keiki Kamp

The resort has a host of children's activities. The pools have two waterslides, one 128 feet long for a wild slide. The Keiki (children's) program offers the Westin Discovery Center where five to 12 years olds can learn about Hawaii's unique culture and traditions through music, dance, language, games, arts and crafts, and excursions. The daily program is held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and includes lunch. The night program is held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and includes a snack.

You can go whale watching, departing from right off the beach at the hotel. Gemini Catamaran picks you up for whale-watching cruises, snorkel trips and sunset sails. If you have never seen a whale live, you might not understand why people would spend part of their vacation going out on the water to see one. But don't miss the chance for this great experience while visiting Hawaii. It is something else.

All the rooms feature the Westin signature "Heavenly Bed"

No review of a Westin hotel would be complete without a mention of their signature "Heavenly Bed." Half the time when I tell someone I stayed at a Westin, they get this dreamy kid-on-Christmas-morning look on their faces and ask, "Ohh. Did it have a Heavenly Bed." The answer is 'of course' and that's all they want to know about.

The Westin Workout facility has state-of-the-art equipment

If you are into body luxuries, in addition to the Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath, there is a heavenly spa. Try the Helani (heavenly) Aroma Lavender Glow or the Lavendar Body Butter Treatment. The Westin has partnered with the local Maui Lavender Farm, a garden located in the hills of Maui. The Spa has developed special treatments using this Maui-grown essence.

Outdoor meals lit by tiki torches and caressed by the island breezes are one of the pleasures of the Westin Maui

Tropica is the Westin Maui's premier restaurant. Located on the beach, Tropica is an island paradise dining experience. We loved the Crab and Rock Shrimp Cake appetizer, jam-packed with you guessed it crab and shrimp. It whets the appetite for the catch of the day, absolutely delicious when we tried it and different from day to day depending on what is freshest.

Dishes both beautiful and delicious at the Tropica restaurant.

For dessert, the Chef's Sampler allows you to taste three of the many desserts that Tropica offers. Sitting with tiki torches amid waterfalls in the balmy evening air was heavenly as was everything at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa - ,bed, bath, spa, beach, life.